Xperia Z advert: The smartphone you can take into the shower

One of the most notable features of Sony's new Xperia Z smartphone is that it
will work under water for up to 30 minutes.

In addition to a battery 'stamina mode', which Sony claims will double battery life, and 'one-touch' connectivity that links to the phone to a hifi, say, with one tap, the Xperia Z is also water resistant and dust-proof.

The water resistance means that the phone, announced at CES in Las Vegas, will work under water for up to 30 minutes. It will work in the shower, survive a dunking in the toilet and can be given a quick rinse under the tap if it gets wet.

"If you want to want to sit in the bath and watch an HD movie this is the device for you," Steve Walker, of Sony, said.

The Xperia Z will be available for pre-order in Britain from early February. Prices have not yet been confirmed.

Sony is also making a non-waterproof version of the handset, the Sony Xperia ZL. That model will not be released in Britain.